Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-08-26
THE COOKS CAUSED 1T,
The Row Between Coils. Burns and
Whipple-RidiculouS Origin Of an
Army Sensation.
The DiSchaIg sc of a Servant hv Col.
Burns Leads 10 Serious Quarrel
and Almost TO Court
Martial.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2S.-A short time ago
a personal difficulty occurred between
Sol. Burns of the subsistence department
and Col. Whipple, of the adjutant- -cener-
sl's department of the army. These of
| hcers are serving on the staff OF Gen.
Schoteld and reside with their families
on Governors Island in New York har-
Dor. The difficulty was of such a char
acter that Col. Whlpple preferred charges
against Col. Burns, who was placed under
arrest and his charges forwarded to
Washington that q court might be consti-
tuted by Gen. Sheridan. The fact that q
difficulty had occurred between these two
officers and that court martial was to
be convened in consequence caused de
clded hutter IN army circles, and the
greatest anxiety was exhibited to learn
the cause and particulars of the q larrcl.
But army customs and regulations forbid
the principal to court martial, and
those who pass upon the charges to give
out or publish anything about the matter
until the proper authority has acted. and
the court has been convened. All efforts
to obtain copies of the charges and
specifications failed both here and in New
York.
i'll the case; that the colonel had Quarrel
ed over her, and that Burns bad struck
Nhipple in the face. This gave it the
character of scandal, and for some time
the utmost efforts were made to get at
the real facts, but without success. In
the meantime the friends of Coils. Burns
and WhiPple spent their time imfortun-
ing them to amicably settle their Difficult
ty, and they finally succeeded. Col. Burus
wrote an apology to Col. Whipplo for
his offensive conduct, and the charges
were withdrawn.
THE CAUSE.
The cause of the quarrel ls learned
from an officer stationed in New York har-
Dor. While there was woman-in fact,
two women-in the case, "she" does net
appear to have been there in the manner
anticipated by the curious. Coils. Burns
and Whipple occupy adjoining houses
on Governors Island. The two cooks en-
ployed by the two families were sisters.
For some cause the Burns cook was dis
charged. Her sister became highly in
censed against the Burns family on this
account. Upon the arrival of Burns new
cook the Whipple girl cultivated her ac-
quaintance ana told her terrible stories
about the cruelties practiced upon their
servants by the Burns family, recitlng
her sisters experience to sustain the
charges. The girl resigned after few
days service. Several others who followed
did likewise and there wassconsternation
in the Burns household. Why would girls
not remain with them? They never be
fore had had any trouble. Finally it was
discovered that the Whipple cook and
her sister were the cause. Col. Burns
was informed of the fact and became
bowling mad. The colonel possesses
somewhat uneven and irrascible temper,
and while in one of his most excitable
moods met Col. Whipple and charged
him with "harboring lot of mischievOus
tenants" and intimating that Whipplo's
family was IN conspiracy to deprive the
Burns family of cook. Whipple knew
nothing about the kitchen affairs of his
neighbor, and was both surprised and
indignant at the manner and style of
Burns speech. After some exchanges of
sharp words Whipple turned to leave
when Burns, having lost all control of
himself, struck him slight blow in the
back Of the neck. That ended the con
tro7ersy and furnished ground for
charges against BurDs for conduct unbe
coming an officer and gentleman"
First Assistant Postmaster General
Stevenson called at the White house to-
day and presented the president an in
vitation from Representative Worthing
ton, of Illinois. on behalf of the citizens
of Peoria to visit that city while on his
Western trip. The president expressed
a desire to meet the people OF Peoria
and would accept their invitation If he
found it possible TO do so.